49ers' Aldon Smith tallies 4.5 sacks against Bears, takes NFL lead

Smith came within one sack of Fred Dean's single-game team record, set on Nov. 13, 1983 against the New Orleans Saints. Smith's 14 1/2 sacks are one more than the Broncos' Von Miller, who beat out Smith last season as the AP's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Smith, the 49ers' first-round draft pick last year, is on pace to collect the most sacks through two seasons by anyone in NFL history. Only Reggie White (31) and Derrick Thomas (30) produced more than Smith, thus far.

Smith had three sacks by halftime, and he combined with Justin Smith on back-to-back sacks in the fourth quarter, the final of which resulted in a safety.

Shortly after halftime, Smith emerged with his fourth sack, dropping Jason Campbell for an 11-yard loss on third down.

Smith recorded two sacks in each of the 49ers' previous two games, and he is a half-sack shy of last season's total. He is on pace to produce the most sacks in a season by a 49er since Cedrick Hardman's 18 in 1971, the latest chronicled mark in their record book.

Smith's first three sacks Monday night came against Bears left tackle J'Marcus Webb, and Smith lined up at left defensive end to produce his fourth sack.

Roy Barker was the last 49er to record four sacks in a game, on Oct. 25, 1998 against the Rams.

Smith closed in for a potential fifth sack when Ahmad Brooks instead sacked Campbell, forcing not only a fumble but also Campbell from the game with a potential back injury.